ROME

November 15th-18th, 2012   BIOETHICS AND CHRISTIAN EUROPE

Organized by our European branch (FEAMC) and the Italian Association (AMCI)

http://www.amci-feamc2012.org/

The Sixth Sunday of Easter is the climax of the Campaign of the Sick. We celebrate the Easter of the Sick. From the World Day of the Sick, February 11, our state of health or disease, has been confided to the Health Professionals, which has allowed us to learn more their profession as “guardians and servants of human life” .

On Easter Sunday we turn our eyes to the early Christians, in its originality to succeed, follow and join his word and testimony, as did all that “the city might be filled with joy.”

In our celebration we remember the sick of the Parish (Hospital), their families and Health Professionals, we celebrate with joy your dedication and shared commitment that we have acquired to serve the health and medical world evangelization.

Penitential act

 In light of the Christ Resurrection we recognize us fragile and needy asking for the action of his mercy upon us.

• You invite us to take your word of life to all men.

• You put us as a rule of life the love and service.

• You send us your Spirit to make the world more human.

Liturgy of the Word

Acts 8,5-8. 14-17.

Psalms 65

1 Peter 3, 15-18.

John 14, 15-21.

Petitions

 In the prayer of the faithfuls may include any of the following requests.

 We trust our needs and requests to God our Father, source of health and grace, for those who hope in Him will not be disappointed.

• For the Church, for all the disciples of Christ, to extend and update their Master’s compassionate action and witness of love to men.

• For those who govern the destinies of nations, that with a clear and responsible mind, should promote peace and development, especially for the most needy.

• For those who are dedicated to patients care, Health Professionals, to recognize and treat they as sacred.

• For all men who suffer in body or in spirit, to find meaning in suffering and grace.

• For all who seek Christ in the ways of truth, justice and love, to meet wiht the Resurrected.

• That in the Church and from the different charisms vocations arise which may be delivered to a pastoral work becuase the love for Christ and the most needy.

 We ask you Father, bless all who suffer illness, and mitigues their pains grant them patience and grace. You live and reign …

Farewell

 End of the Eucharist on Easter Sunday. Jesus returns to the Father and his return is commitment to the Spirit to come and fill our lives. In this celebration of the Easter of the sick we need the Spirit of the Risen Christ. When he gets the disease to humans suffer or enjoy the solitude of the company: their loved ones, health professionals and the heat of the Community. That the power of the Spirit help us to transform the wilderness in times of plenty.Happy Sunday!

Prayer of the Community for Professionals

 We thank you, Lord,

by the eyes that look,

the caring hands, clean and caress,

the voice that accompanies and encourages

the ears that hear complaints,

sorrows and joys.

Lord, we bring to you

the Professional

those who care for our health,

fill them with your gifts;

who help us

to combat the disease,

give them wisdom and strength;

in the accompanying pain and suffering,

inhabit they with your presence.

Let our professionals, Lord, bearers of your love, service of life.

Amen.

El sexto Domingo de Pascua es el punto culminante de la Campaña del Enfermo. Celebramos la Pascua del Enfermo. Desde la Jornada Mundial del Enfermo, el 11 de febrero, nuestra situación de salud o enfermedad, se ha detenido en los Profesionales de la salud, lo que nos ha permitido conocer un poco más su profesión de “custodios y servidores de la vida humana”.

En este Domingo de Pascua volvemos nuestros ojos a los primeros cristianos, a su originalidad para salir adelante, a su acompañar y unir palabra y testimonio, pues todo ello hizo que “la ciudad se llenase de alegría”.

En nuestra celebración recordamos a los enfermos de la Parroquia (Hospital), a sus familias y a los Profesionales de la Salud, celebramos con gozo su entrega y el compromiso común que hemos adquirido de servir a la salud y a la evangelización del mundo sanitario.

Acto penitencial

A la luz de Cristo resucitado nos reconocemos frágiles y necesitados pidiendo la acción de su misericordia sobre nosotros.

• Tú que nos invitas a llevar tu Palabra de vida a todos los hombres.
• Tú que nos pones como norma de vida el amor y el servicio.
• Tú que nos envías tu Espíritu para hacer un mundo más humano.

Liturgia de la Palabra

- Hch 8,5-8. 14-17. En este texto de los Hechos de los Apóstoles y en una especie de sumario, se nos narra la expansión del cristianismo: Felipe llega a Samaría y predica a Cristo, el gentío escucha porque ha visto sus signos, y la predicación tiene sus efectos: la ciudad se llena de alegría. Para que todo ello no quede en algo anecdótico o espectacular, los Apóstoles rezan por los fíeles para que reciban el Espíritu Santo, protagonista de la vida cristiana. El Espíritu de Cristo resucitado mueve a sus discípulos a dar testimonio del Evangelio.

- Sal 65. Salmo de invitación a la alabanza, por la experiencia de su inmensidad en la vida. Ven y contempla con toda tu alma y únete a la alabanza de la creación.

- 1P 3,15-18. Vivir en cristiano es siempre una invitación, una llamada a un estilo de vida que una vez asumido se orienta hacia Dios y hacia los hermanos. Pedro exhorta a una conducta acorde con la vida que los cristianos ya tienen, que sirva de testimonio. Lo expresa de forma bella: “dar razón de nuestra esperanza a todo el que nos la pida”; se trata de una presentación sencilla y convencida de lo que creemos y vivimos, es un testimonio en esperanza, y es un testimonio cierto.

- Jn 14,15-21. En torno a la mesa y en un ambiente de cierta intimidad entre Jesús y sus discípulos, una atmósfera de últimas voluntades recorre el texto: “Guardad mis mandamientos”. Pero los mandamientos de Jesús no son simples preceptos morales, son un modo de vida, cuyo origen y razón de ser es el amor. El modo de vida del discípulo arranca del amor a Jesús y es expresión de ese amor. Jesús expresa su deseo de que vivamos guardando sus mandamientos como garantía de plenitud y de vida. No otras normas, no otros mandatos, sólo la invitación al amor.

Peticiones

En la oración de los fieles se puede incluir alguna de las peticiones siguientes.

Confiemos nuestras necesidades y peticiones a Dios nuestro Padre, fuente de salud y de gracia, pues los que esperan en Él no quedarán defraudados.

• Por la Iglesia, por todos los discípulos de Cristo, para que prolonguen y actualicen la acción misericordiosa de su Maestro y de testimonio de amor ante los hombres.
• Por todos los que rigen los destinos de los pueblos, para que con una mente lúcida y responsable, promuevan la paz y el conveniente desarrollo, especialmente de los más necesitados.
• Por los que se dedican al cuidado de los enfermos, los Profesionales de la Salud, para que los reconozcan y traten como algo sagrado.
• Por todos los hombres que sufren en su cuerpo o en su espíritu, para que encuentren sentido y gracia en el sufrimiento.
• Por todos los que buscan a Cristo por los caminos de la verdad, la justicia y el amor, para que lo encuentren resucitado.
• Para que en la Iglesia y desde los distintos carismas surjan vocaciones que puedan entregarse a un trabajo pastoral por amor a Cristo y a los más necesitados.

Te pedimos Padre, que bendigas a todos los que sufren enfermedad, que mitigues sus dolores y les concedas paciencia y gracia. Tú que vives y reinas…

Despedida

Termina la Eucaristía de este Domingo de Pascua. Jesús vuelve al Padre y su vuelta es compromiso para que el Espíritu venga y llene nuestra vida. En esta celebración de la Pascua del enfermo necesitamos el Espíritu de Cristo Resucitado. Cuando llega la enfermedad al hombre sufre la soledad o goza de la compañía: sus seres más queridos, los profesionales de la salud y el calor de la Comunidad. Que la fuerza del Espíritu nos ayude a transformar las soledades en momentos de plenitud. ¡Feliz Domingo!

Oración de la Comunidad por los Profesionales

Te damos gracias, Señor, 

por los ojos que miran, 

las manos que cuidan, limpian y acarician, 

la voz que acompaña y anima, 

los oídos que escuchan lamentos, 

tristezas y gozos. 

Señor, traemos ante ti 

a los Profesionales, 

los que cuidan nuestra salud, 

llénalos de tus dones; 

los que nos ayudan 

a luchar contra la enfermedad, 

dales acierto y fortaleza; 

los que acompañan en el dolor y el sufrimiento, 

habítales con tu presencia. 

Que nuestros profesionales, Señor, 

sean portadores de tu amor 

al servicio de la vida. 

Amén.

…………………………………………………………

*De la Diócesis de Bilbao, cuyo obispo, Mons. Mario Iceta, es médico

http://www.bizkeliza.org/index.php?id=2177&L=0

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Text Of Blessing Of A Child In The Womb Now Available In English And Spanish For Use In United States
 May 8, 2012

WASHINGTON—Following Vatican approval, the “Rite for the Blessing of a Child in the Womb” is now available for use by dioceses in the United States. The text of the blessing is posted online and is being published as a booklet addendum to the Book of Blessings/Bendicional. The blessing will be included in future editions of those liturgical volumes.

“We hope the use of this blessing will provide not only support and God’s blessing for expectant parents and their child in the womb, but also another effective witness to the sanctity of human life from the first moment of conception,” said Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond, chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The blessing can be offered within the context of the Mass as well as outside of Mass.

Parishes planning to use the blessing this Mother’s Day can download the text at www.usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/prayers/pro-life-blessings.cfm. The blessing may be ordered through USCCB Publishing as a 43-page bi-lingual booklet at www.usccbpublishing.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=7-316.

The blessing originated at the request of then-Bishop Joseph Kurtz of Knoxville, Tennessee (now archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky) to the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities. The committee prepared and submitted a text to the USCCB’s Divine Worship committee in March of 2008. It was approved by the U.S. bishops in November 2008, and then sent to Rome for editing and final approval.

The Non-Sighted People: ‘Master, I Want to See’ (Mk 10:51)

INTERNATIONAL STUDY MEETING

Vatican City, 4-5 May 2012
St. Pius X Hall – Via della Conciliazione, 5

FRIDAY 4 MAY
 

Morning

 7.30 Celebration of Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica

 9.15 Greetings and Prolusion - H.E. Msgr. Zygmunt Zimowski, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers and President of the ‘Good Samaritan’ Foundation (the Holy See)

- Presentation of some works from the Diocesan Museum “Francesco Gonzaga” of Mantua (Italy), Msgr. Roberto Brunelli, Director of the Diocesan Museum “Francesco Gonzaga” of Mantua

First session

 THE THEOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK

Moderator: H. Em. Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (the Holy See)

 9.45 The Non-sighted Person in Holy Scripture - Prof. Rev. Waldemar Chrostowski, Professor of Biblical Exegesis of the Old Testament at the Cardinal Wyszyn´ski University (Warsaw) and the Nicholas Copernicus University (Torun´, Poland)

10.15 The Historical Concern of the Church for Non-Sighted People - Prof. Rev. Giuseppe Morante, Professor Emeritus on Salesian Pontifical University (Italy)

10.45 BREAK
 THE SOCIO-POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK

Moderator: Prof. Enrico Garaci, President of the “Istituto Superiore di Sanità” and the “Consiglio Superiore di Sanità” (Italy)

11.00 Epidemiology: Blindness and Low Vision in the World - Dr. Silvio Paolo Mariotti,Programme for the Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of the World Health Organisation (Switzerland)

11.20 Access to Eye Care and Rehabilitation for People in Developing Countries - Dr. Wing-Kun Tam, President of Lions Clubs International (China)

11.40 The Importance of Protocols and Guidelines in the Fight Against Blindness - Prof. Mario Stirpe, President of the National Commission for the Prevention of Blindness (Italy)

12.00 The Human Resources Development in Low Income Countries and the Brain Drainage - Prof. Serge Resnikoff, Director of the NGO “Organisation pour la Prévention de la Cécité” (France)

12.20 Debate

13.00 End of the Session

Second Session

 THE PRINCIPAL CAUSES OF AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS AND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION AND CURE

Moderator: Dr. José María Simon-Tor, Director of Simon Eye Clinic (Spain)

14.00 Degenerative Diseases (Cataract) -Dr. Abdulaziz Al Rajhi, President of the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology (MEACO) (Saudi Arabia)

14.15 Infectious Diseases (Trachoma and Onchocerciasis) - Prof. Allen Foster, Director of the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) (Germany) and Director of the International Center for Eye Health (ICEH) (Great Britain)

14.30 Retinal Diseases (Diabetic Retinopathy, AMD) - Prof. Donald J. D’Amico, Professor and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the Weill Cornell Medical College of New York (USA)

14.45 Childhood Blindness (Retinopathy of Prematurity, Avitaminosis A and Congenital Cataract)- Dr. Andrea Molinari, Medical Doctor in Paediatric Ophthalmology at the Metropolitan Hospital of Quito (Ecuador)

15.00 Refractive Errors - Dr. Mario Angi, President CBM Italy Onlus and Aggregate Professor of the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosciences, of the University of Padua (Italy)
 MODELS OF PREVENTION, CURE AND REHABILITATION

Moderator: Atty. Giuseppe Castronovo, President of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (Italy)

15.30 Visual Rehabilitation in the World - Prof. Lea Hyvärinen, Senior Lecturer of Developmental Neuropsychology at the University of Helsinki (Finland)

15.45 The National Pole and Models of Visual Rehabilitation in Italy - Prof. Alfredo Reibaldi,Scientific Director of the National Pole of Service of Research for the Prevention of Blindness and Visual Rehabilitation (Italy) 
16.00 Rehabilitation on a Community Basis and the Fight Against Blindness - Dr. Martin Kollmann, Regional Coordinator of the Programme for Neglected Tropical Diseases CBM (Kenya)

16.15 Summary - Prof. Emilio Balestrazzi, Director of the Eye Clinic of the “Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Policlinico A.Gemelli” (Italy)

16.25 End of the Session
BREAK

17.00 Musical Concert
Introduced by: Hon. Elisabetta Gardini, Member of the European Parliament, member of the Commission for the Environment, Public Health and Food Security (Italy)

Testimony by: Rev. Gerardo Balbi, Parish priest of the Parish of Camporeggiano, Gubbio (Italy)

SATURDAY 5 MAY

Morning

Third Session

 ROUND TABLE: NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOMEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL TECHNOLOGIES
Moderator: Eng. Dino Tabacchi - President of Salmoiraghi & Viganò (Italy)

08.35 Surgical Techniques for Cataract (SICS) - Dr. Sanduk Ruit, Director of the Tilganga Eye Centre (Nepal)

08.45 Technologies for Refraction and Spectacles - Prof. Kovin Naidoo, Director of the International Center for Eyecare Education (South Africa)

08.55 Distance Learning: Cyber-Sight - Prof. Eugene M. Helveston, Orbis International (USA)

09.05 Medical Products Donated for Neglected Tropical Diseases: Trachoma - Ms. Julie Jenson,Director of Corporate Responsibility at Pfizer Inc (USA)

09.15 Onchocerciasis - Dr. Pierluigi Antonelli, Senior VP and Managing Director of MSD Italia Ltd (Italy)

 ROUND TABLE: NGOS: PROTAGONISTS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AVOIDABLE BLINDNESS
Moderator: Dr. Gullapalli Nag Rao, President of the LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) (India)

09.30 Dr. Allen Foster, Director of the Christian Blind Mission (CBM) (Germany) & Director of the International Center for Eye Health (ICEH) (Great Britain)

09.40 Dr. Caroline Harper,  Director of Sight Savers International (Great Britain)

09.50 Dr. Eugene M. Helveston, Orbis International (USA)

10.00 Johannes Trimmel, Director for Program and Policies of “Licht für die Welt” (Austria)

10.10 BREAK

 ROUND TABLE: BLINDNESS IN OTHER RELIGIONS 
Moderator: Bro. René Stockman, General Superior of the Brothers of Charity (Italy)

10.35 Buddhism: Prof. Wiriya Namsiripongpun, Professor on Thammasart University (Thailand)

10.50 Judaism: Prof. Arnon Afek, Professor on Tel Aviv University (Israel)

11.05 Hinduism: Prof. Mukesh Narayan, Professor on Jeevan Jyoti Institute for the Disabled (India)

11.20 Islam: Prof. Mohamad Ahmad Elsada - Professor on Cairo University (Egypt)

Fourth session

 PASTORAL CARE AND ECCLESIAL PROJECTS FOR THE NON-SIGHTED

11.35 Pastoral Care with Non-Sighted People - H.E. Msgr. Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool (United Kingdom)

11.50 Care for Non-Sighted People: Art as a Pastoral Instrument - Msgr. Roberto Brunelli,Director of the Diocesan Museum “Francesco Gonzaga” of Mantua (Italy)

12.05 The Catholic Congregation of the Blind: Charism and Works - Fr. Wilson Kallikkal, CCB,General Superior (India)

12.20 The Non-Sighted Sacramentine Sisters: Charism and Works - Sr. M. Rosa Affinito, Sacramentine Sisters (Italy)

12.35 Debate

13.00 End of the Session
 ROUND TABLE: ECCLESIAL COMMITMENT TO THE SERVICE OF THE NON-SIGHTED
Moderator: Mr. Laurent Kibambe Bila, Administrative Director of Promhandicam (Cameroon)

14.05 Information and Requests from Bishops’ Conferences, Msgr. Jean-Marie Mupendawatu,Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (the Holy See)

14.15 Africa 
 1- Tanzania: H.E. Msgr. Aloysius Balina 
           Bishop of Shinyanga

 2- Rwanda: Bro. Charles Nkubili
     Brothers of Charity

14.45 America
 1- USA: Fr. John Sheehan, SJ 
 Chairman of the Board of the Xavier Society for the Blind

 2- Brazil: H.E. Msgr. Vilson Dias de Oliveira 
   Bishop of Limeira

15.15 Asia

 1- India: Sr. Irene Gonsalves, SRA
 Diocese of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

 2- Vietnam: Sr. Anna Le Thi Van Nga 
 Congregation of Lovers of the Holy Cross

15.45 Europe

 1- Poland: Sr. Irena Sikorska
    Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Cross

 2- Italy: Prof. Francesco Scelzo
 President of “Movimento Apostolico Ciechi”

16.15 Oceania

 1- Australia: Mr. Tony Wheeler
 Chairperson Catholic Health Australia

16.45 BREAK

17.05 Debate
17.20 Message and Recommendations to Bishops’ Conferences - Fr. Augusto Chendi, M.I.,Under-Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers (the Holy See)

17.30 Greetings of H.E. Msgr. Zygmunt Zimowski

End of the Proceedings

Catholici Orbis Medici

de Sanctitatis Vestrae

Octogesimo quinto aniversario gaudentes

gratias Deo agunt

pro vestro

erga humanum genus amore

consequioque indefesso labore,

testimoniumque laetum locupletemque

perhibent

Deum adesse

ubi eos per te

diligentissime liquet esse.

Valeas!

Barcinone, decimo sexto Aprilis mense,

Anni duomillesimi duodecimi.

Dr. Josep Maria Simón i Castellví

Praesides

FIAMC

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Catholic Medical Association of Nigeria

International Conference 2012

Goal/Objectives: To provide avenue to harvest practicable context-fit solutions to
Nigeria’s abysmal health situation. The Conference will balance sound science and ethical
responsibility, consistent with Catholic faith and morals.

Host Bishops: Anthony Cardinal Okogie (Lagos Archdiocese); Most Rev. Dr. Albert Fasina
(Ijebu Ode Diocese) and Most Rev. Dr. Adewale Martins (Abeokuta Diocese).

Theme: Marshall Plan for reducing maternal mortality in Nigeria towards the MDGs

Subthemes:

1. Evaluation of Global Catholic Marshall Plan to reduce maternal mortality – Prof Robert
Walley, President of MaterCare International, Rome
2. International Catholic Doctors’ Movement – Dr J. Simon – FIAMC, Rome.

3. Prevention of cervical cancer: lessons learned and challenges for community impact –
Prof Rose Anorlu, consultant Gynaecologist, LUTH

4. Maternal health within Primary Health Care in Nigeria: Integration vs. Vertical
programming – Prof. Michael Asuzu, University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan

5. Protecting women in developing countries from deceptive foreign health interventions –
Dr. Mary Davenport, MD, FACOG (USA)

6. Non-Communicable Diseases and maternal health – Prof Clement Odigwe
(Cardiologist), University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

7. Maternal mortality reduction in Nigeria: NaProtechnology and other context-fit
strategies – Dr. Henrietta Williams

8. Stem cell research and socio-juridical implications for developing countries –
Academician Dr. Philip Njemanze

9. WilliamsDeploying Information and Communications/m-Medicine to Improve Maternal
Health in Nigeria. – Dr. Charles Nwasor (USA)

10. Innovative Funding for Catholic Health Systems – Dr. Chris Ogbechie, Lagos Business
School.

CME UNITS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST FOR REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS

Abstract submission: cmanews.ng@gmail.com; www.cmanonline.org

Dates: July 5-8, 2012 (Thursday –Sunday)

Venue: McGovern Hall, St. Agnes Catholic Church, Maryland, Lagos

Accommodation: EHJ, Ikeja – N5,000/night; Elomaz Hotel, Maryland – N15,000/night

(Pre-booking is required)

Participation: Doctors – N5,000; Medical students – N1,000

For details, contact: Obiageli: 08069216707 or Bisi: 08023220980; Email: cmanews.ng@gmail.com

Message of Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski President of the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers for the Fifth World Autism Day

(2 April 2012)

An Appeal for Sensitivity and Supportive Solidarity Towards Autistic People and their Families

On the occasion of the Fifth World Autism Day, the Church intends to express her nearness to those who are burdened by the weight of this profound suffering. In large measure still to be explored, autistic spectrum disorders constitute, indeed, for those who are affected by them, a grave alteration of behaviour, of verbal and non-verbal communication, and of social integration, with a wide-ranging effect on the normal development and evolution of the personality.

In this pathological movement of self-envelopment and closure to the other and the external world, the Church sees as impelling the task of placing herself at the side of these people – children and young people in particular – and their families, if not to breakdown these barriers of silence then at least to share in solidarity and prayer in their journey of suffering. Indeed, this suffering, at times, also acquires features of frustration and resignation, not least because of the still scarce therapeutic results. These frustrations are to be seen, in particular, in families which, although they look after these children with loving care, experience repercussions as regards the quality of their own lives, and are often, in their turn, led to be closed up in an isolation that marginalises and wounds.

The Church and all people of good will thus feel committed to being ‘travelling companions’ with those who live this eloquent silence, which calls upon our sensitivity towards the suffering of others, following the emblematic example portrayed in the gospel parable of the Good Samaritan (cf. Lk 10:29-37). To bend down before the sufferings of others, in addition, becomes more incisive this year, given that this World Day is taking pace during Holy Week, which draws us near to the suffering, the death and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Being moved, together with prayer, is often in such a situation – as in the case of people with autistic disturbances – if not the only, then at least one of, the principal expressions of love and our solidarity. Here the words of the Blessed John Paul II have not lost their importance: ‘The Church, as my venerable Predecessor Paul VI liked to say, is “a love that seeks out”. How I would like you all to feel welcomed and embraced in her love!’ (Address on the Occasion of the Jubilee of the Disabled, December 2000, n. 3). The Church thus feels the commitment really to become increasingly the house of the Father where everyone can find the fullness of human and divine love.

The warmth of this embrace is evident in the devotion of so many families and communities, and of very many health-care workers, educators, professionals and volunteers, to whom goes all of our esteem and gratitude. However, this does not remove the fact that in addition to cultivating constantly, and expressing, this sensitivity of the heart and communion in prayer, the scientific world and health-care policies must also be encouraged to engage in and, where necessary, increase, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative pathways that can address a pathology which affects more people in numerical terms than could have been imagined only a few years ago. To encourage and sustain, in the supportive action of the world of schools, voluntary work and associations, these efforts is a duty, not least to discover and bring out that dignity which even the gravest and most devastating disability does not eliminate and which always fills us with hope. Not ephemeral and fleeting hope but hope which in every circumstance nourishes the heart of those who have been redeemed by the glorious Cross of Christ: ‘Through him we have become certain of God, a God who is not a remote “first cause” of the world, because his only-begotten Son has become man and of him everyone can say: “I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal 2:20)’ (Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Spe salvi, n. 26).

This is our God, who knows tenderness and uses mercy, who always keeps us in His gaze, because He has written us on the palms of His hands (cf. Is 49:16). To His loving hands, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, we entrust the lives of so many of our autistic brothers and sisters and their families who, although enveloped in the mystery of silence because of a grave psychological disturbance, are never alone, inasmuch as they are passionately loved by God and, in Him, by the community of those whose faith commits them to becoming a living and transparent sign of the presence of the Resurrected Christ in the world.

On the occasion of Easter, I wish everyone all the good and joy in the Risen Lord. Hallelujah!

Ti prego o Signore, reggi Tu i fili

perché io li possa annodare.

Dammi ogni giorno un po’ di buon senso

e…  tanta umiltà per poter fare sempre il possibile

lasciando a Te l’impossibile!

† Prof. Carlo Orecchia

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Carissimi amici, sono lieto di proporvi questa breve, semplice e bellissima preghiera del chirurgo, scritta dal mio indimenticabile maestro di chirurgia (e… di vita) prof. Carlo Orecchia, che l’aveva fatta stampare sul vetro della porta di ingresso della nostra Sala Operatoria di Vercelli.

E così tutte le mattine prima di iniziare il nostro lavoro di chirurghi, all’entrata della sala operatoria tutti noi potevano leggere la preghiera e riflettere sul nostro lavoro.

Ma la leggevano anche tutti i pazienti prima di entrare il Sala Operatoria per essere sottoposti ad un intervento chirurgico e ne erano rincuorati.

Il Segretario AMCI   Franco Balzaretti

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the committee, it is my pleasure to announce that the 15th AFCMA Congress will be held on 18 – 21 October 2012, in Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel in Bali, Indonesia. As you perhaps know, Indonesia was appointed as the host for the next AFCMA Congress. I do hope that all of you, Board and Members of AFCMA will make a note in your calendar for this important date, so that you can schedule your presence at the congress from now on. I would also urge Board and Members in other regions within FIAMC to come and attend the Congress.

The Organizing Committee has chosen Bali as the location of this congress, to attract more participants. Most of you would have heard of Bali as one of the favorite tourist destinations in the world. We assure you that aside from the interesting topics that will be discussed in the congress, there will also be opportunity for you to see the beauty of the Paradise Island of Bali.

Please go through the Congress Programme. There are still some vacancies for congress speakers that you may be able to fill. The topic can be related to the main theme, subtheme or as free papers. Please let me know if you are interested to be one of the speakers. With this announcement I would like to welcome you to the 15th AFCMA Congress in Bali, and encourage you to register early.

With my warmest regards,

In Christ,

Albert Hendarta, MD, MPH.
Chairman 15th AFCMA Congress Organizing Committee

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More info: http://www.afcma2012.com/

http://internationalfiamc.blogspot.com.es/#!/2012/04/vice-president-lee-in-barcelona.html

“Brève histoire des Organisations Internationales Catholiques à Genève”

Dr. François Blin, Président de la FEAMC (branche européenne de la FIAMC)

Aussi avec la FIAMC

Sera présenté fin avril au salon du livre de Genève (25-29 avril, 2012)…
http://www.eclectica.ch/f/index.php
http://www.salondulivre.ch/fr/auteurs/

http://frblin.perso.neuf.fr/feamc/europe.htm

http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Unacceptable-2-27-11am2.pdf

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Obama Administration Attacks . . . Again; Catholic Medical Association and the Bishops Respond

In a follow up to its October attack on a successful program run by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops , the Obama administration launched an unprecedented assault, not only on every Catholic institution in America, but also on the religious liberty American citizens have enjoyed since the Founding.

In a press release dated Jan. 20, 2012 , HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced that the HHS mandate forcing all insurance plans and providers to offer and completely subsidize all FDA-approved contraceptives (including abortifacients classified as “emergency” contraception), sterilizations, and reproductive counseling would be enforced against all religious institutions that do not meet her very narrow definition of “religious employers.” This will include all Catholic schools, universities, hospitals, and social service agencies just for starters. Catholic institutions were given an additional year to come into compliance with the new rule.

The CMA responded immediately with a strong statement of condemnation and a call for Catholics and all people of good will to join together to overturn this malicious mandate. USCCB President Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan and hundreds of other religious bodies also issued similar statements

Analysis:

As the CMA has noted in several statements in the course of 2011 as HHS prepared to craft and announce its mandate, this “preventive services” rule constitutes bad logic (in defining pregnancy as a disease to be prevented); bad medicine (in holding that providing oral contraceptives and sterilization will enhance women’s health); and bad public policy (in thinking that this strategy will prevent unplanned pregnancies, lower health-care costs, etc.).
Apart from the mandate itself, the decision to impose this requirement even on institutions which have an ethical objection to providing contraceptives, sterilization, and abortifacients is an unprecedented attack on the Catholic Church and on religious freedom more generally. Never in our history has the federal government demanded that private insurance plans include benefits that violate an institution’s conscience.
Finally, one condition of the 1-year delay granted to Catholic institutions by HHS is that these institutions tell their employees where such proscribed services can be obtained. This attempt to compel speech, and make Catholic institutions complicit in the referral process, is a violoation of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment.
Finally, it is important to remember that this entire effort is ultimately an attack on the rights of all citizens, for all of us as individuals will be forced pay, with our premium dollars, to subsidize these unethical services.
There are, then, many levels on which this mandate is wrong. The fact that HHS went ahead and imposed it, despite thousands of comments and direct communication with the USCCB, demonstrates the Obama administration’s complete lack of regard for religious freedom and/or an animus toward the Catholic Church.

Action Steps:

There are several important action steps CMA members should be taking immediately:

Perhaps the most important action step is to contact one’s Congressmen and Senators and ask them to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179 in the House and S. 1467 in the Senate). A growing list of co-sponsors will show support and result in a favorable vote.  http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292
Educate and motivate your family, peers, friends, and neighbors with explanations as to why this assault on the Catholic Church and religious liberty is dangerous and must be overturned. Write “letters to the editor” and participate in signature campaigns.
Pray and sacrifice so that this decision is overturned. Support the bishops, many of whom have issued strong statements and are now leading impressively on this issue.
CMA members should realize that this mandate is only a first step. Now that these preventive services have been mandated, it will not take long for the federal government to declare that all physicians and health care providers must perform or refer for them. Copy www.cathmed.org  and send it to Catholic physicians you know. Encourage them to join the CMA so that we can fight this mandate more effectively!!

Marci Moffitt
Catholic Physicians Guild Phoenix

A chartered guild of the Catholic Medical Association

http://www.cpgphoenix.com

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FIAMC STATEMENT ON OBAMA AND LIFE ISSUES

“Obama Promised to Be a Force for Positive Change”

U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict
January 20, 2012

Unconscionable to force citizens to buy contraceptives against their will
No change in limited exemption, only delay in enforcement
Matter of freedom of conscience, freedom of religion

WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today’s announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty.”

The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.

At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.

“This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”

Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.

“This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.

Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.

“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”

http://www.usccb.org/

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CMA-USA Reacts to HHS “Compromise”

January 22, 2012

On January 20, 2012, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius declared that its final rule on preventive services for women will go into effect without any meaningful regard for the conscience rights of health care providers, a decision that will affect Catholic providers disproportionately. In response, the Catholic Medical Association has issued the following statement:

In her January 20 press release, Secretary Sebelius ignored the significant objections raised by many commentators to her narrow exemption for “religious employers” to the preventive services rule, deigning to grant Catholic health care providers merely an additional year before being subjected to government coercion to violate their religious and conscientious beliefs, This is an outrage that cannot be allowed to stand. Fidelity to conscience is not optional based on the month or year, and respect for conscience rights should not be either.

In addition to showing no regard for rights of conscience, the HHS decision threatens to violate free speech rights of health care providers by forcing them to provide, during their year-long stay of execution, notice to their employees about where morally objectionable reproductive services can be obtained.

In a patently disingenuous statement, Secretary Sebelius states that her decision “strikes [an] appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

This decision, and the attitudes toward people of faith and respect for the Constitution, are of a piece with the Obama administration’s war on religion, and Catholics in particular. In a recent unanimous Supreme Court decision on January 11, Hosanna-Tabor Lutheran Evangelical Church and School v. EEOC, the Court referred to the Obama administration’s narrow view of religious liberty as “extreme,” “remarkable,” and “untenable.”

This latest attack by the Obama administration on religious freedom and free speech rights should be of grave concern to all Americans because it is destructive of individual rights and of the common good. It should be challenged and resisted by all legitimate means.

Founded in 1932, the Catholic Medical Association is the largest association of Catholic physicians in North America. For more information, go to http://www.cathmed.org.

CONTACT: John Brehany, Ph.D., S.T.L., Executive Director & Ethicist

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